[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Wanted"2016/09/10, "Wanted" is a show which made big promises about its realism before release. This is a powerful statement for fiction and an industry so liberal with its bending of reality. The idea of combining a suspense thriller about a kidnapping with a twisted reality show is a solid one and the series does surprisingly well in some aspects. It is also held back by safe choices in others,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Wanted" Episode 16 Final2016/08/19,
Hye-in, Seung-in and his team as well as the "Wanted" production crew prepare for one last show and one last effort to get Ham Tae-seob and SG Group for their wrongdoings. Joon-goo goes into a search for the nurse who might have Dr. Kim Bong-joon's research on the harmful nature of SG's germicide. This has been a long struggle and none have suffered more than SG's victims, who offer their support in this final show,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Wanted" Episode 152016/08/17,
The penultimate episode of "Wanted" takes a look at the past and Ham Tae-yeong's involvement in the SG Group conspiracy. A lot of questions are answered and Hye-in discovers the reason why she carries some responsibility. This revelation feels rather unconvincing and certain important things remain unknown, but will hopefully be resolved in the finale. Joon-goo's tape might be the last piece of the puzzle and Dong-wook is the man who can assemble it,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Wanted" Episode 142016/08/05,
The "Wanted" team struggles between Joon-goo's noble cause and twisted means of achieving it while Dong-wook turns out to be a fine choice for Joon-goo's plans. With pressure from SG Group and an unrelenting Tae-seob rising, Joon-goo takes desperate measures and manipulates some familiar faces to get his revenge. Hye-in still struggles to understand what her sin might be, but the show must go on and she must face two people who have wronged her at the same time,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Wanted" Episode 132016/08/03,
Things look bleak in episode thirteen of "Wanted" and everyone suffers. A lot of things about the past are explained as we get to know our kidnapper and the path that brought him here. The people who bonded with Joon-goo are feeling betrayed and everyone on the good side is being hunted by SG Group, which has a tight grip on the police force. As the truth about SG's wrongdoings surfaces, Hye-in is brought closer to a difficult choice,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Wanted" Episode 122016/07/29,
The kidnapper is finally revealed in episode twelve of "Wanted", but this only complicates the situation. There is also the possibility of an accomplice within the police and the investigation still does not have all the past culprits. The current mission is met with great resistance as SG Group starts to interfere with the show and put great pressure on its team. With the show's future and Hyeon-woo's safety now uncertain, time is running out for the "Wanted" team,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Wanted" Episode 112016/07/27,
Episode eleven of "Wanted" is packed with action and suspense, as Lee Ji-eun is put in danger when the criminals behind the seven-year-old case become desperate. The kidnapper and Na Soo-hyeon have a disagreement and the next mission is delivered to Hye-in. A life is lost and the kidnapper's plans for the reality show and their new target are about to meet great resistance. Meanwhile, the police still suspect the producers of "Wanted", adding another obstacle to the show,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Wanted" Episode 102016/07/22,
The body count surrounding "Wanted" is rapidly increasing as the show and authorities close in on the ones responsible for the deaths seven years ago. Lee Ji-eun seems to be a key person and the team tries to get as much out of her as possible before the show. Meanwhile, Dong-wook reveals his twisted motive for joining the production. The search for the kidnapper continues, but a crisis occurs when what seems to be a secret mission is initiated,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Wanted" Episode 92016/07/21,
Crisis hits the "Wanted" production when Ha Dong-min's lawyer and a member of their own staff are kidnapped by copycat criminals from the program's fan club. Episode nine takes a step back from Hyeon-woo's case to look at the consequences of such a reality show, but the kidnapper's behavior during this situation acts as an additional clue in the investigation for their identity. The time to find out Ha Dong-min and Kim Woo-jin's connection to all of this approaches,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Wanted" Episode 82016/07/15,
Another pawn in the kidnapper's game is revealed, but I am starting to wonder what is and is not controlled by the mastermind and why they seem so forgiving of errors. Hye-in's "Wanted" is in danger of cancellation and our heroine finds unlikely allies. The show is increasingly being criticized for glamorizing violence and we find out Jeong-ho's true nature. Some things feel a bit odd and others clumsily presented, but "Wanted" has not dropped the ball yet,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Wanted" Episode 72016/07/14, "Wanted" has been raising more questions than it has been answering and everyone feels like a suspect. The creators choose to provide some answers in episode seven, giving viewers some pay-off for the guessing game we have been going through so far. Some connections between culprits and victims are explained, the nature of certain characters becomes clearer and the elephant in the room is addressed when the show comes under serious scrutiny for its deadly influence,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Wanted" Episode 62016/07/08,
A couple of episodes back I said that "Wanted" is making me paranoid. The series is quick to reward and encourage this viewer mindset by proving my assumptions right. Hye-in's life faces danger in episode six and so does the show during her absence. New suspects and criminals surface while Hye-in's "allies" are preoccupied with their own agenda. We have a new murder in the present, one in the past and the first direct call from Hyeon-woo,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Wanted" Episode 52016/07/07,
Deeper down the rabbit hole we go with "Wanted" and things are starting to get personal for more of the people involved. The kidnapper's goals and knowledge seem to reach far beyond Hye-in and Hyeon-woo while Seung-in's involvement might have been planned all along. Our heroine is reaching the limit of how long she can keep Hyeon-woo's identity a secret from the world and our suspect list grows bigger with every episode of the culprit's twisted reality show,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Wanted" Episode 42016/07/01, "Wanted" is getting darker by the episode as everyone's wits and morality are being toyed with by someone who has clearly put a lot of thought into the reality show they have created. Hye-in has to manipulate, betray and increasingly expose herself to the world while everyone around her does their best to get their job done. A possible motive for the show's creation is revealed and the suspect list keeps getting bigger as more secrets are revealed,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Wanted" Episode 32016/06/29, "Wanted" could have easily relied on suspense over a stock kidnapping story, but it is refreshing to see how bold its creators are in touching delicate social subjects through it. This time around domestic violence and its treatment by the law and press become a topic. We also find out more about our characters, including Seung-in and his presumably painful past. With the second mission being handed and Hyeon-woo's status being unconfirmed, Hye-in has a lot to deal with,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Wanted" Episode 22016/06/23,
Hye-in is carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders as "Wanted", the show within this show kicks off. Everyone has a motive to keep the camera rolling and Hye-in knows full well that she has no true allies in this media circus. The first task has been given and there are casualties, increasing the involvement of the police. The drama takes advantage of its premise for some apt social commentary, making its imaginary world too close to ours for comfort,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Wanted" Episode 12016/06/23,
If you have already watched the first episode of "Wanted", please have a glass of water. If you have not, put the snacks down. There will not be any time for them. The series waits for no one and we are thrown in at the deep end right away. The kidnapping takes place and the show within the show is about to begin. There are a few issues with the writing and character introductions, but the atmosphere and suspense are spot on,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Preview] "Wanted"2016/06/18,
The last SBS thriller about a mother looking for her child left audiences divided on the ending, but "Wanted" is here as a possible re-do for those who loved the general premise of the aforementioned "God's Gift - 14 Days". The latest drama certain has a lot going for it, but there are some production issues which might cause problems. Let us take a first look on what we have of it so far,...More

[Orion's Drama News] Rising Actresses and Consolation Cheese2016/05/28,
Some major titles are coming our way and this week is rich with announcements. With many series approaching about younger characters, we get to experience the new wave of actresses tasked with bringing the roles of young women back in the spotlight. "Cheese in the Trap" fans are in for some odd, but potentially good news and we have script reading photos from some upcoming series along with the usual news,...More

[Funcurve Review] "Punch - Drama"2015/12/19,
The Last Fight for Justice
If you enjoy politics, scandals, power struggles, and a little drama, then you're in for a treat - "Punch - Drama" has it all. "Punch - Drama" isy a Korean drama portraying the lives of modern day prosecutors. It explores how they cope with the constant clash between ideals versus reality and scrutinizes the paths they choose in response to temptations and survival.
The drama gives each character a distinctive and essential purpose in the overall storyline. There are the obvious good guys, like main heroine Sin Ha-kyeong (Kim Ah-joong), who believes upholding the law and punishing crime is their sacred duty. There are the obvious bad guys, like main villain Lee Tae-joon (Jo Jae-hyeon), who does whatever it takes to advance his own career. But then there are also those who are more ambiguous,...More

SBS Drama Awards, quality or popularity?2015/12/03, Source,
Who will be the last one to laugh at the SBS Drama Awards?
SBS maintains its reputation for being one of the most powerful drama broadcasting stations in 2015. It entertained viewers with various dramas and so did actors and actresses with their various transformations,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Punch - Drama" Episode 19 (final)2015/03/23,
"Punch - Drama" is over and I'm feeling a little numb. What a ride it gave me. It was one of the strongest dramas I've seen, despite a few live shoot glitches. The writing was more than solid - it was inspired. The acting was heartfelt, the direction was clear and clean. Mostly, it was the impeccable writing and the ability of the writer/director pairing to keep the story, and me, on our toes, as each expectation was subverted, played upon and turned into another exciting event. With the constant tension and battles between Jung-hwan and his enemies, there was barely a second to breathe,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Punch - Drama" Episode 182015/03/16,
This drama is so good. The penultimate episode is upon us and I'm still gripping my arm rests. Jung-hwan's illness has almost gotten the best of him and former Minister Yoon has almost won. Almost - not quite. We still have one more episode to see who actually comes out on top. Even more than that though, Tae-joon and Jung-hwan have joined hands for one final ride up the glass elevator. The Tae-joon and Jung-hwan pairing, whether it be as partners or opposites, is such a rich match,...More

[Interview] On Joo-wan, "I like a person who arouses curiosity"2015/03/11, Source, There's someone who rode the rollercoaster in this year's drama "Punch - Drama". On Joo-wan played investigator Lee Ho-seong who guarded Sin Ha-kyeong (Kim Ah-joong) in the beginning and then later stood in the middle of corruption. He smiles shyly as he says, "I took myself back to the middle. I am realizing more and more that communication is most important no matter what role you are in". Now 12 years into his career, the actor seems like he's still maturing and says he feels like he's caught a lucky break.
Q: Did you predict the success of "Punch - Drama"?
"The grown-ups in my hometown love it. They think it's the best thing that's ever happened to me. I had my trust in the producer and writer",...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Punch - Drama" Episode 162015/03/10,
There are very few people in "Punch - Drama" who are not selfishly motivated to the point that they will sacrifice others as a means to an end. Jung-hwan was once a man like that, but has thankfully changed. Unfortunately, his opponents have no sense of loyalty and will choose sides based upon which is most advantageous. This wasn't always true,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Punch - Drama" Episode 152015/03/05,
The timeline in "Punch - Drama" is very literal. It isn't a marked calendar day when things are due. It is Jung-hwan's death, the most final of deadlines, and it's coming soon. Before he dies, he and Ha-kyeong have things to do, but their enemies know this as well. Jung-hwan's impending demise has not only changed him, but everyone around him,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Punch - Drama" Episode 142015/03/02,
The tension never dies in "Punch - Drama". Just when the good guys get a leg up on the pervasive corruption that endeavors to drag them down, the bad guys find a soulless way to quash them. Amongst the bloody political and personal battles are the most beautiful family scenes that center the show and keep it full of heart. Tae-joon is the mastermind behind the corruption,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Punch - Drama" Episode 132015/02/23,
The poison of greed spreads and corrupts more good people. Those who were once friends cannot be trusted any longer and it is time to turn back to family: Jung-hwan and Ha-kyeong turn towards each other in order to protect their own. Minister Yoon and Tae-joon are not above using Jung-hwan and Ha-gyeon's daughter, Ye-rin, as a means to their end,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Punch - Drama" Episode 122015/02/20,
Temptation truly has reached into the hearts of the most well-intentioned and morphed them into the people they've always dreaded they'd become - people like Lee Tae-joon. Minister Yoon has been eaten alive by greed and has been spit out as yet another self-serving political monster who masks her greed and twisted soul with pretty words of doing right by her people. This is the path that Tae-joon followed,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Punch - Drama" Episode 112015/02/03,
Despite all the lies and corruption that pervade "Punch - Drama", what makes this show great is the honesty and rawness of the emotion it conveys. Very little about the show in writing or execution is haphazardly done. And, like with his previous dramas, Park Kyeong-soo delivers quality work well into the show's run time with his exploration into the darker side of humanity and loads of mind games. Oftentimes writing flags come mid run, but not "Punch -Drama". As the drama progresses, it digs further and further in Jung-hwan's psyche, and into the kinds of change the pressure he is under forces him to make in his thinking, in his person, in his lifestyle,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Punch - Drama" Episode 102015/02/01,
The waters are rushing quicker as "Punch - Drama" moves along. People are getting caught up in the churning depths of corruption and it doesn't matter how hard they struggle because they cannot extricate themselves from the dangerous river. Minister Yoon is the best example of being in far above her head,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Punch - Drama" Episode 82015/01/25,
"Punch - Drama" is a drama that is constantly in a state of change. The law that once guided some of the most righteous people means little when family is at stake. People switch sides; they become crueler and harder. Jung-hwan is working to uncover truths he spent year burying in order to save his family before his time runs out.
It takes one decision to change one's path entirely,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Punch - Drama" Episode 72015/01/19,
Justice is a central theme in "Punch - Drama" that has not yet been fulfilled, but who lies in wait for its time to shine. Ha-kyeong believes wholeheartedly in justice while those around her are in various states of cheating it. Another potent theme in "Punch - Drama" is humanity, and how it is found in all people, even the most corrupt villain. Tae-joon is the star of this episode,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Punch - Drama" Episode 62015/01/14,
"Punch - Drama" isn't losing speed. In fact, it's getting more exciting as each episode passes. The episode raced by, fraught with emotion, and ended with a scene that was like a punch in the gut. That is no small feat when the character who are the most effective are the villains. Before he dies, Jung-hwan is just trying to take care of business,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Punch - Drama" Episode 52015/01/08,
"Punch - Drama" has made me love being wrong. I thought Jung-hwan had changed for good. Nope. He has just changed sides, but uses the same ol' dirty tricks, doing the right thing the wrong way. His daughter motivated the initial change, but it will be up to Ha-kyeong to remind him that he once had a conscience. And that, my friends, is real intrigue. Bring it on.
What I love about "Punch - Drama" is the set up,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Punch - Drama" Episode 42015/01/04,
All those years Jung-hwan walked the wrong path have finally come to an end. Kim Rae-won made every second Jung-hwan was on screen electrifying. Jung-hwan has always been a deliberate man so when he takes the entire episode's length to decide his course of action, the outcome is profoundly deep and powerful. In the end, it is Ha-kyeong who gets to him,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Punch - Drama" Episode 32015/01/04,
"Punch - Drama" gets more riveting with every episode as the drama delves deeper into the past, thickens up the plot of the present, and further muddies the future. Jung-hwan is on the brink of death, so this episode highlighted his past and the present doings of those around him, namely Ha-kyeong, Tae-joon, and Kang-jae. Ha-kyeong still loves Jung-hwan despite his greed and inability to break away from the sickly symbiotic relationship with Tae-joon,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Punch - Drama" Episode 22015/01/01,
"Punch - Drama" is action-packed every second of the way. Jung-hwan doesn't react the way most terminal patients would in any drama or real life situation, which is was makes him a riveting character. The other characters feel just as tangible as he does despite their very selfishly driven, partially hidden and vaguely motivated agendas. What is beautiful about this show is the way the past, present and future are linked by small, everyday things as well as the larger events of the show,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Punch - Drama" Episode 12014/12/29,
The first episode of "Punch - Drama" began solidly by giving us a main character, Park Jung-hwan (Kim Rae-won) who is more of a villain than a hero. In fact, he is all villain. He sacrifices everything that makes him human in order to gain what he desires. He is the lapdog of a corrupted, twisted, powerful politician and he knows it. His updstanding ex-wife knows it. The question is, how is his cancer diagnosis going to factor into "Punch - Drama"? Currently, it could take him out and the world would be better for it. Writing this strongly built first episode is Park Kyeong-soo ("Empire of Gold"",THE CHASER - Drama") who penned solid characters and plenty of mystery,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Sign"2014/09/13,
While OCN might be the current king of the crime in Korean drama, crime as a topic, premise and even genre for shows is nothing new for the industry. Series with crime as their genre or an integral part of them might not appear often, but attempts have been made with various results. "Sign" is a big attempt at pure crime and achieves some new things, but its problems and lack of a solid main plot ultimately fail it,...More

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "The Accidental Couple"2013/12/28,
For every nice and mature romantic comedy drama out there, there seem to be way too many juvenile and/or abusive and badly written romances. When it does change, however, it makes for sweet, warm and surprisingly poignant little stories that might not offer the rollercoaster cliché-filled fun more popular options do, but are remembered for the beautiful emotions and thoughts they leave one with. 'The Accidental Couple' is such a story, making it one of the best and more mature romantic comedy dramas out there,...More

Catch Me2013/12/22, Source, "Catch Me"
Genres: Comedy and Romance
Running Time: 115 min.
Directed by: Lee Hyeon-jong
Starring: Joo Won, Kim Ah-joong
Synopsis: Ho-tae is a profiler and elite cop who has absolute confidence in arresting criminals. Staking out to arrest a serial killer one day, Ho-tae happens to witness a hit-and-run accident. He follows the driver home and finds out that the driver is Jin-sook, the first girl he ever loved. Ho-tae starts to have strong feelings for her. His investigation principle is shaken down to the root, however, when Ho-tae discovers that she is the famed thief who's long been on the wanted list,...More

Kim Ah-joong's photo shoot behind cut2013/12/15, Source,
Actress Kim Ah-joong's street photo collection have been revealed.
She modeled for the issue of fashion magazine "Grazia" taken in the streets of Itaewon. She was seen in jeans and a T-shirt which brought out the cuteness that was always hidden behind sexiness. She's either sitting on the streets or surrounded by staff,...More

[HanCinema's Column] Strong Drama Women - The Examples2013/12/07,
In the two previous pieces of the 'Strong Drama Women' trio, 'The Norm' and 'The Definition', I talked about how problematic and limiting the portrayals of women often are in Korean drama, with the rom-com drama being my main focus. When it is the genre most watched by and intended for women, it is surprising to see how little it sometimes thinks of them. But in my second piece, I talked about the existence of hope. And hope is here,...More

[HanCinema's Film Review] "Catch Me"2013/12/07,
In "Bridal Mask", Joo Won played the role of a policeman secretly fighting against his own government for the sake of Korean nationalism. The drama is loaded with the ambiguities this situation brings up, and how the title character feels like trash for causing untold emotional suffering to his best friend. In "Catch Me", Joo Won plays the role of Ho-tae, a policeman secretly fighting against his own government because his ex-girlfriend's name comes up in the investigation and he wants to protect her because...uh...
Yeah, I'm not actually sure what the positive qualities are of Jin-sook (played by Kim Ah-joong),...More

Joo Won in long hair2013/11/28, Source,
Still cuts from the movie "Catch Me" were revealed with Joo Won in long hair.
Joo Won looks cute in long hair and is wearing a checked shirt that makes him look like the innocent art school boy he is. Kim Ah-joong next to him is wearing a feminine, patterned blouse with laced pants. They are a campus couple,...More

Who is the queen of the year?2013/10/02, Source,
What's the exposure code at BIFF this year?
The 18th Busan International Film Festival is opening its festival door with the movie "The Blessing" on the 3rd of October.
The highlight of all openings is the relay of female stars' dresses. Domestic and foreign actresses alike will be decorating the red carpet with sexy to abstruse fashion,...More

Kim Ah-joong, all in pink2013/09/25, Source,
Actress Kim Ah-joong was seen departing from the Incheon International Airport on th 26th to promote her movie "Amazing".
She has been cast for the adventure movie "Amazing" which is a collaboration between the US and China,...More

[HanCinema's Hall of Fame Review] "200 Pounds Beauty"2013/09/21, In the Spotlight this Week: "200 Pounds Beauty" (2006) by Kim Yong-hwa
Earlier this year Korea put out its first 3D tech-tank with "Mr. Go", an expensive experiment that was truly fantastical but still failed to capture the imagination of the Korean public. The film recovered just over a third of its $22.5 million price tag, and some might ask why such a gorilla was even allowed out of its cage in the first place. In 2011 Kim also help produced "My Way", another apparent cash cow that failed to come in for the slaughter. So while big-budget blockbusters may not appear to be Kim's forte, he did managed to find the right stuffing in his comedies "Take Off" (2008) and "200 Pounds Beauty" (2006),...More

[HanCinema's Film Review] Korean Weekend Box Office 2012.12.07 ~ 2012.12.092012/12/10, HanCinema's Korean Box Office Review (2012.12.07 ~ 2012.12.09)Jo Geun-hyeon's drama "26 Years" managed to hold onto another first place position at the box office this past weekend. Heun-hyeon's latest entered the chart at the end of last month where it was the choice film with almost 700,000 admissions. Its second week almost matched that performance with 606,882, putting it on a total admission count of 1,815,882. In addition to Geun-hyeon's "26 Years", the romantic comedy "Whatcha Wearin'?" was released along with the new and improved "Dredd 3D",...More

[HanCinema's Film Review] "200 Pounds Beauty"2012/12/07,
A horribly fat woman, dreaming of a job in the entertainment industry, gets plastic surgery so that she can try to get her shot at the big time. There were ample fat jokes throughout the movie's extended first act. It sounds like a pretty bad recipe for disaster. And yet, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that "200 Pounds Beauty" is lacking in the one essential element that makes fat jokes so crass. It's not especially mean. At least to the fat person.
Make no mistake- Han-na is definitely the butt of many jokes while she's still in fat form. But they have surprisingly little to do with her being fat. Han-na is an extremely clumsy woman. Usually when she engages in a bit of physical comedy, it's against rather obvious advice being given to her by another character. These are accidents that would have happened even if she wasn't fat- though obviously her added girth doesn't help matters,...More

Art and Culture2012/11/16, Source, It's finally Friday and we have our Michelle Kim here with us with our last arts and culture segment of the week. Today, she brings us a few previews of movies that are either playing now or are scheduled for release in early December. Hello Michelle [Reporter : ] Hello Conn-young So what film will you start us off with[Reporter : ] I'm sure a lot of you have been waiting for this film to come to Korea. "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn -- Part 2" opened here yesterday and I have a preview for you now. The three stars of the last installment of the "Twilight" series -- Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner -- were greeted by thousands of fans in London on Wednesday at the UK premiere of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn -- Part 2,...More

Baek Sang Awards 3 : last years winners compete again2012/04/25, Source,
While the 48th Baek Sang Arts Awards is about to open once again, historical dramas look like they are on a roll. The competition between the 3 ground wave companies for the grand prize is also something else of interest.
For the one year of movies and TV programs from the three companies, the Baek Sang Arts Awards will be awarding 13 categories in total, including drama, entertainment, education and popularity awards as well,...More

Tax probe unnerves high-income celebs2011/09/07, Source, By Lee Hyo-sik
Popular comedian and TV show host Kang Ho-dong might have thought that his trouble with law enforcement authorities would end as soon as he pledged to pay back taxes and penalties amounting to hundreds of millions of won. It turns out to be wishful thinking as he is now being accused of evading taxes.
Kang's problem has also unnerved other high-income celebrities who are concerned that the tax office may come after them,...More

Celebrities Fined for Tax Evasion2011/09/06, Source, The National Tax Service has fined celebrities like TV show host Kang Ho-dong and actress Kim Ah-joong for failing to declare their entire taxable income.
The NTS fined Kang (41), the host of popular programs like KBS reality show "Happy Sunday: 1 Night 2 Days", hundreds of millions of won,...More

[REVIEW] SBS TV series "Sign" - 1st Episode 2011/01/06, Source,
SBS TV series "Sign" [SBS]
SBS TV series - Wednesdays & Thursdays 9:55 p.m.
The first episode of "Sign" kicked off by showing the most intensive moment of the story. Yoon Ji-hoon (played by Park Shin-yang) takes away a body that was to be autopsied by another doctor, leaving Lee Myung-han (Jeon Kwang-ryeol) enraged and searching the National Forensic Service to look for him. Da-kyung (Kim Ah-joong), who had been arguing with Yoon, finds herself joining him in the autopsy room,...More

Actor Baek Seong-hyeon to hold first fan meeting in Japan2011/01/06, Source,
Actor Baek Seong-hyeon [Chosun Ilbo Japanese edition]
Actor Baek Seong-hyeon will hold his first fan meeting in Japan next week, according to press release by the event's organizer the Japanese edition of Korean daily paper Chosun Ilbo.
The upcoming fan meeting, which will proceed for about two hours, will include a Q&A section, a quiz show and offering of special presents. Baek also plans to shake hands with all the attendants after the show,...More

Joo Jin-mo thinks Zhang Ziyi liked him2010/09/16, Source,
Actor Joo Jin-mo on MBC talk show "Golden Fishery" [MBC]
Actor Joo Jin-mo has said that he felt that top Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi liked him when the two were co-stars for Korean film "Musa" almost ten years ago.
Joo made the remark on a pre-recorded session of MBC talk show "Golden Fishery - Knee Drop Guru" which went on air Wednesday, starting his explanation with "If I had known Zhang Ziyi would turn out like this... why did I",...More

[ChanMi's star news] PR for 2010/08/29, Source, Kim Ah-joong is the public relations agent for a luxury brand that only French first ladies have been given the job.
She was the ambassador for S.T. Dupont brand starting this July as the first Asian actress to take the job,...More

Kim Ah-joong tapped as heroine in U.S.-China film2010/08/23, Source,
Actress Kim Ah-joong [Heren]
Korean actress Kim Ah-joong has been cast as the heroine of a 20 billion won U.S.-China joint production, according to her agency Trophy Entertainment.
Trophy announced through a press release on Saturday that the 27-year-old actress will star in sports adventure film "Amazing" about developing an Internet virtual-reality basketball game,...More

[ChanMi's star news] Stars all dressed for the red carpet!2010/03/26, Source,
Baek Sang Arts Awards best dresser is Kim Nam-joo!
This last week of March brought many stars on the red carpet for this Awards festival.
Many stars did not disappoint the fans for their beautiful looks.
Kim Nam-joo received 5 stars for her green dress. Her colorful look with trendy accessories made her look classy and glamorous.
Sin Se-kyeong has 4 stars for her one shoulder dress with a flower on her shoulder for a great colorful green point.
Son Ye-jin gor 4 stars for her feminine look with the orange one shoulder dress. She looks sophisticated and bright!
Ko Hyeon-jeong wore a simple black tube dress with the sexy see through look. Seon Woo-seon wore a bold necklace with her blac,...More

Kim Ah-joong to host 2010 BaekSang Arts Awards2010/03/26, Source,
Korean actress Kim Ah-joong [Asia Economic Daily]
Korean actress Kim Ah-joong has been chosen to host the 46th annual BaekSang Arts Awards on Friday.
"We selected Kim to host the event because she has had an active career in the entertainment industry. She has hosted the show for the past two years and we believe she won't have any trouble on stage", explained an official with the event,...More

Lee Byung-hun scores triple wins at KBS Acting Awards2010/01/04, Source,
Korean actor Lee Byung-hun at 2009 KBS Acting Awards [KBS]
Top Korean actor Lee Byung-hun won three awards -- including the grand prize -- at the 2009 KBS Acting Awards, held at KBS Open Hall on December 31. Lee was awarded the top acting prize of the year for his role in blockbuster drama "IRIS" and also won the Best Couple and Netizens' Choice awards. "I started acting at KBS", said the actor in his acceptance speech. "When I had just debuted at KBS I heard about the acting awards.. I wondered if I would ever be able to go up on that stage. The very next year, I won the Best New Actor award". He went on to say, "And now I've won Grand Prize on this stage. I'm very touched". He thanked the staff, actress Su-ae who -- believing Lee would win -- sent him a congratulatory text message in advance and his mother.,...More

[ChanMi's star news] Best and worst dressers!2009/12/31, Source,
The award ceremonies have come and gone with a lot of celebrities stepping on the red carpet showing off their makeovers!
The best and worst dressers were also picked for this year end events.
There were many bright colored dresses this year also with fur and edgy styles.
Kim Nam-joo was picked as the best dresser of this red carpet walk because of her sophisticated dress like a queen. The worse dresser was picked as Koo Hye-seon who did not wear any dress,...More

Jeans Brands Woo Top Stars for Ads2009/10/15, Source, Jeans brands seem to be replacing cosmetics as the most coveted prize among Korea's advertising contracts. Traditionally, becoming the " face " of cosmetics brands was the recognition of bona fide sta,...More

[ChanMi's star news] Best and Worst dresser this season2008/11/02, Source, The weather has become very cold these days yet, the stars come in their dresses!
No pain no gain! The fashionista must bear the cold weather to show their best outfits.
For the last few awards ceremonies, the best and worst dresser have been picked.
Best dresser is,...More

[ChanMi's star news] Kim Ah-joong= feminine+healthy+luxury2008/09/28, Source, She is a trend leader in the fashion market.
Recently, She made a 2 year extension contract with P&G Pantene. She has been their model since 2005 without any scandals and was hardworking. Thus, her image is appealing and friendly to the audience.
The beauty market is also sensitive to the trends of the time and thus, the model is changed often in order to be up to date.,...More

[ChanMi's take] Actresses at film festival this 7th2008/09/07, Source, On the 7th, the 17th Choonsa Film Award Festival Ceremony opened inviting many stars to this one place.
However, the numbers of stars have been lower than last years'. Of course, the stars did not attend because of personal reasons.
There has been many criticism in about this event. Complaints were,...More

[ChanMi's drama news] The secret of being number 1 casting star2008/07/12, Source, Before being officially casted for a drama there are many compromises and processes to follow. Although there might be a star that the producing staff wants it doesn't mean they will get the star. The star may be "perfect" for the role, but we in fact the star who took on this lead role is actually the 3rd or 4th actor/actress approached.,...More

South Korea's esteemed 45th Daejong (Grand Bell) Film Festival held in southern Seoul, showcased the latest local box office trends, with its stronghold of original thrillers, stylistic period pieces and experimental projects. While superstars grabbed the limelight,...More

[ChanMi's movie news] The 45th Daejong Film Festival2008/06/26, Source, One of the masterpiece films "The Chaser" has been nominated for 11 different awards for the 45th annual Daejong Film Festival that will be on the 27th at Seoul Samsungdong Coex Convention Hall. The festival will be aired in the SBS channel live.
Last year, actress Kim Ah-joong and announcer Choi Ki-hwan received the highest award. Wondergirls who's "So Hot" song is a big hit performed "Tell Me" and Ock Ju-hyun performed a song from the musical "Chicago". We anticipate which performers will be performing in the festival this year.,...More

Stars Come Together for Earthquake Victims2008/05/29, Source, Korean stars have come together to help out the victims of a devastating earthquake in China. Celebrities who joined the recording of "I Love Asia", a joint earthquake relief project, at a studio in southern Seoul included singer/producer,...More

Stars to Come Out for Hallyuwood Start Festival2008/05/27, Source, A star-studded event is planned for the Hallyuwood Start Festival, which celebrates the groundbreaking of Hallyuwood in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. The festival is to be held on May 29th and some 20 entertainers are invited to mark the meaningful event.

[BRIEFLY] Grand Bell movie awards on June 272008/05/07, Source, The Grand Bell Awards, Korea's major movie award ceremony, will announce this year's winners at the COEX Convention Hall in southern Seoul on June 27, organizers said at a news conference yesterday.

A total of 56 Korean movies have so far joined the competition, and the jury will whittle the list,...More

The Daejong (Grand Bell) Film Festival ― Korea's equivalent of the Academy Awards ― holds its 45th edition with small film festivals May 24-28 in Seoul and Tokyo before the big award ceremony here June 27. Organizers announced the lineup of movies includ,...More

Of the musicals scheduled to be staged this year, more than 30 percent are based on or related to movies. There are already many Korean adaptations of Broadway musicals based on Hollywood films. But what,...More

Jecheon Fest Highlights Music-themed Films2007/08/03, Source, Between last summer and this summer, a number of musical and music-driven Korean films were released, defining an important new trend towards the genre for local audiences. This month the 3rd Jecheon International Music and Film Festival (JIMFF) showcases that trend, bringing 7 music-themed Korean,...More

Following "Spider-Man 3", "Pirates of the Caribbeans: At World's End" (Pirates 3) is sweeping the domestic box office at a fast and furious rate _ but the alarming dominance of foreign films is only an indicator of a deeper problem in the Korean film industry.

Too Much? The Top Advertising Earners Revealed2007/02/09, Source, Advertising has developed beyond a mere means to sell more products into essential cultural content that can have a powerful impact on the way the public see the world. Among professionals, actors are particularly in love with advertising and the steady income it can provide -- not to mention the st,...More

Korean netizens choose Radio Star2007/01/18, Source, Online film reservations site Maxmovie and Channel CGV have announced the results of their 4th annual Best Film Awards selections based on voting by internet users. With a total of 425,613 votes cast, the surprise winner for Best Picture was,...More

A noticeable change in December has foreign films faring quite well, while home-grown movies are struggling to bolster sagging ticket sales - an,...More

New Movie Releases for Dec. 152006/12/15, Source, Thanks for staying with us.
It is Friday, which is good news for those of you looking forward to the latest movies.
This week, we have two new Korean releases, one about the wonders or shortfalls of plastic surgery, and the other a murder suspense.
More from Son Heekyung.

Beauty?2006/12/14, Source, In Korea where looks are everything, a good look is power. You don't want to affirm it but are unable to deny it either. Women are aware that those who vociferously advocate inner beauty do not have t,...More

Some may say, "If there is one of you who does not prefer a knockout figure with a pretty face, let him be the first to throw a stone at her" as the whole society,...More

'200 Pound Beauty' holds heavyweight lessons2006/12/07, Source, The predominant fashion cult of postmodern Korea is built on an extremely slim yet temptingly sensuous body. Therein lies a dilemma: If you are too skinny, you are likely to be just skinny, not voluptuous.

To fix the dilemma, you need a great surgeon - a plastic surgeon, that is, who can suck out,...More

Director Kim explores inner beauty2006/09/20, Source, About 70 extras were waiting anxiously in the hall of Catch Light, a posh club in the trendy Hongdae district around 4 p.m. on Monday. While lighting crew worked on ceiling equipment, assistant directors scurried around, throwing orders here and there, and reporters tried to hide their boredom upsta,...More

A Year of Big Changes and Small Setbacks for Korean TV2005/12/27, Source, 2005 will be remembered as a year of new trends in Korea's entertainment industry. On the one hand, there were the large-scale dramas starring big names that were clearly produced with an eye on Asian markets that showed themselves receptive to the Korean wave. But equally importantly, some smaller,...More

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i love the charater you paly as "jongnam" in bizarre bunch. your acting is just superb! you and go joowon have this chemistry...you look very good together. hope there will be a part 2 for bizarre bunch about your married life and the other kids you will have... and let us see little hands piling up on your wedding picture.
love you and sukhyun!

Kim Ah-joong (김아중)

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